Following their participation in the last Olympics in Beijing in 2008, the Japan Volleyball Association took quick measures to build a new squad, aiming for the Olympics in London in 2012. Masayoshi Manabe, leading the Championship Team, Hisamitsu Springs, has been appointed as new head coach of Japan Women’s Team, taking over the position from former head coach Shoichi Yanagimoto who led the team since February 2003 and experienced two Olympics in Athens 2004 and in Beijing 2008 over these years. Manabe started his duty from April of 2009 until 2012. Masayoshi Manabe launched his new squad immediately after the V. League, Japan’s premier league. More than thirty players - including six Olympians, such as Yoshie Takeshita, one of the best Setters and former captain, Yuko Sano, one of the best Liberos, Saori Kimura and Erika Araki, new captain from last season, adding them to fresh and promising players.

Starting from May, Manabe’s squad started their first training camp in Tokyo and then competed in the Montreux Volley Masters in Switzerland before summer, the young and promising players will have much experience and will hopefully be improving. Being supported by those experienced players, the newcomers will be able to express themselves without feeling anxious about making errors. Japan used to be a powerhouse in the past and Manabe’s squad will challenge to show everyone they still can be.

Masayoshi Manabe, born in Hyogo in 1963, is the new coach of Japan Women's Team, taking over the position from former coach Shoichi Yanagimoto who led the team since February 2003.

On his appointment, Manabe said at the press conference last December "I have participated in the 1988 Seoul Olympics as a player. After watching the 2008 Beijing Olympics outside of the court, however, I felt like participating in the Olympics again as a leader. I want to do my best and aim for the 2012 London Olympics." As a setter for the Japan Men's Team, Manabe participated in many international events, including the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He started his career as a coach in 1993 at Nippon Steal Blazers (the predecessor of Sakai Blazers). He took the helm of the team as a "player-headcoach" until 1999. Under his leadership, the team became the V-League champions in 1996 and in 1997. From 1999 to 2005, he focused on his career as a player and moved from team to team. Since his retirement as a player in 2005, Manabe has been leading Hisamitsu Springs. The team won the champion trophy of the 2006/07 V-Premier League.

Japan Women's Team is aiming for medals at the 2012 London Olympics under the powerful leadership of Manabe.

In order to secure a berth at the World Grand Prix this summer, Manabe started the first training camp in the middle of May, after the 2009/10 V- Premier League and the National Championships.

Manabe is a quite tactician and he will lead his squad in the World Grand Prix.